Colin was eighty-six, so it's not as if his death was unexpected, but still... For me, his loss is a passing of a part of my creative life--and the personal loss of a man I knew and liked.
When I went to Oxford for the first time it was not long after the publication of the first Morse novel, LAST BUS TO WOODSTOCK, in 1975, and I remember watching for street signs and looking at maps, imprinting the locations from the book. I'm sure I was influenced in my writing more than I realized by Dexter's Morse, the quintessential irascible detective, lover of opera, crosswords, good whisky, women, and wine.
I know that when I wrote an academic mystery, I set it in Cambridge rather than my much-loved Oxford, because I didn't dare tread on Morse territory.
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| Colin (center) with John Thaw and Kevin Whately. |
Colin Dexter was many things. A skilled novelist, a master plotter, a creator of characters that will long outlive him. But he was also a very kind man.
I met Colin for the first time in the mid-nineties, at a Mystery Weekend at St. Hilda's College, Oxford, where he was a keynote speaker. Some of you may know that Colin was very deaf (in fact, one of my favorite Morse novels is The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn, about the murder of a deaf Oxford don) and that I also am completely deaf in one ear. That weekend, I was a newly minted novelist, but Colin and I formed a bond over our lack of hearing, and whenever I met him afterwards, he never failed to remember me.
The last time I saw Colin was perhaps three or four years ago. I was waiting in the reception area of our mutual publisher in London, when who came in but Colin! He was alone, and seemed quite frail, and he was told rather brusquely by the receptionist to take a seat and wait. When I went over to him and introduced myself, he lit up. He not only remembered me because I was deaf, but he knew my name and my books. I was so flattered, and touched. When we were both ushered up to the inner sanctum, I helped organize tea for him and we had a nice chat.
I'm so sorry that I did not meet him again. But Morse lives on, in print and on film, and if you watch very carefully, so does Colin, in his walk-on cameos in every episode of the series.
There will be many tributes, and recitations of Colin's honors, so well deserved. But, for now, I am going to go read a book, one set in Oxford, and remember the man I knew...
Reds and readers, how will you remember Colin?
What sad news . . . and what a lovely story of your meeting Colin.
ReplyDeleteIn some way, he will live on in his books and the wonderful Inspector Morse series, but he will certainly be missed . . . .
What a sweet tribute. It's always sad to lose those we have looked up to, personally or professionally, but what a treat to have met him and formed a real personal bond over the years. While I have enjoyed the television series, I confess that I have never read the books. Now I'm going to have to go do that, so I can think of this gentleman, too, as a man who was a talented writer, a nice guy, and a man who saw past differences in age, gender, and national origin to find common ground with another talented writer.
ReplyDeleteOf course we know there's a cycle through life, but he left such a legacy! You know I am madly in love with Morse, totally and completely, and that means I'm in love with Collin Dexter too. What a master! I loved watching for his walk on it in each show, it just seemed like such a lovely little secret. I don't mean to sound sappy, but what a lovely thing that his books and stories will live on, and continue to be in inspiration.
ReplyDeleteDebs, how wonderful that you have these dear memories.
Do you know anything about why he started writing mysteries?
Such sad news. I am an Anglophile, so I devoured the Morse mysteries when they were published and avidly watched the TV series. I remember that Colin often did a Hitchcock-like appearance in several episodes. I visited Oxford twice in the 1990s and wandered the streets dreaming about seeing that distinctive red Jaguar!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge Morse/Colin Dexter fan. I had not heard that he'd died. You knew him, Debs! What a lovely remembrance. As Hank says, what a legacy he leaves.
ReplyDeletethat's so lovely Debs--he would have been touched!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you got to meet Colin Dexter, Deborah! I didn't know about his deafness. I'm trying to remember the first Inspector Morse book that I read--I just remember seeing the series coming out that first season on TV and praying that they got it right. And then Morse came alive for me. And I cried when I read the last Morse book, but it just seemed so fitting somehow--not like Colin Dexter had gotten tired of writing the series or decided to start another series. Just, it was time. The news tributes yesterday were very touching. I hope he realized how much he was loved!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your personal loss, Debs, as well as the loss of a great literary light.
ReplyDeleteThe Inspector Morse series has been in my Netflix queue forever, but I haven't watched it yet (I rarely turn on the TV these days). What fun, to watch for Colin's cameos! I'm sure I've read some of the books, but that was a long time ago, pre-Internet author friend-making. Guess I'll be adding more leisure activity to my list.
What great stories, Debs. I'd love to fire up an episode of "Lewis" but alas! they are now only on Amazon. So I guess I'll have to think of something else.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who hasn't read Colin's novels or watched Morse is in for a treat. I think the TV series was the best adaptation of a series of crime novels to date. It had everything, starting with Colin's clever stories and wonderful characters, great actors, great scripts, great music by Barrington Pheloung, and of course, those dreaming spires.
ReplyDeleteBut I have to confess I've never seen the last episode of the series, or read the last Morse novel. It was too close to losing a friend. And I adored John Thaw, who died much too young, only a year after the last episode or Morse was broadcast.
Deborah, thank you for posting the sad news of the death of Colin Dexter...His Inspector Morse series is at the pinnacle of crime novels, and I felt a personal loss when John Thaw died...I loved that man! Colin Dexter felt so strongly (I have read) that John Thaw was the one and only "Morse", that I believe he had written into his own final instructions, that no further adaptation of his Inspector Morse may be done in the future, using other than John Thaw as Morse. Right now, I cannot remember the 'Puritan" Christian name that Morse was given by his mother, but it will come to me later. What a rare gift in life you were given, to have this bond with Colin Dexter,,,I believe that he was also a "setter" of crossword puzzles, as another talent he possessed.....Suzanne Sanders of Austin, TX
ReplyDeleteGoodness, of course, his name is "Endeavor".....I have come to look forward to the younger Morse episodes, because they represent at least a vestige of the greatest dramatization of any mystery series....Love Inspector Lewis, too.....
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with the man or his works, but thank you for such a lovely tribute.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute. I only discovered the books after a friend introduced me to the Inspector Lewis TV series, so I had lots of reading to catch up on.
ReplyDeleteWe both let out a huge "oh NO" when we heard this yesterday afternoon. We've read every book, seen every Morse episode and every Endeavor episode. Now we will start again.
ReplyDeleteDeb, how incredibly hard it is to lose a friend and inspiration. It's no coincidence that you both are such talented story tellers, and perhaps it was the identification with deafness. My heart hurts for you today.
Blessings and love to my friend.
Ann
Thanks, Ann, that's very sweet. I am a bit blue today, I must admit. But Morse, Lewis, and Endeavor. What a legacy!
ReplyDeleteI, too, spent a lovely day in Oxford with a dear friend and retraced many of the steps in many of the novels. We actually ate lunch in one of the Pubs that featured very highly in many of the stories. I was devastated when Inspector Morse died and even more so when John Thaw died. Now the trio is complete. RIP dear sir and thank you for all the years of joy you have given me. Susan
ReplyDeleteColin Dexter pinched my bum at the 2003 St. Hilda's Conference in Oxford. I have never felt so honored (or honoured.)
ReplyDeleteJulia, I was trying to resist telling the bum-pinching stories for at least a day:-) No one but Colin could have got by with it!
ReplyDeleteLike Gigi, I've never read the Morse books, which I clearly need to rectify. I love the TV series, and I love that it spawned "Lewis." And let's not forget that Lewis brought us DS Hathaway! I have to admit that I was less enamored with the "Endeavour" series. Am I an outlier in this regard?
ReplyDeleteOh, the "dishy" DS Hathaway!
DeleteIngrid, we liked the first season of "Endeavor," the others weren't as good.
Mary/Liz
I thought you liked Hathaway, Mary! When is he getting his own show?!
DeleteIngrid, I think some of the Endeavor plots have been a bit out there! But it's such a great cast--not just Sean Evans, but Roger Allam and Anton Lesser, who are brilliant. And then there's the whole 60s vibe. AND Oxford. So, yes, I'll keep watching.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debs, for giving us this chance to grieve together! Like many others here, apparently, I have never read the books. But I've seen all the Morse episodes, I own the entire Lewis series on DVD, and I've seen every episode so far of Endeavor. I feel like the Morse series was one of my earliest forays into wonderful British TV mysteries, and it certainly set the bar high! When I saw the news of Colin Dexter's passing yesterday, I texted my husband just the way I would if a close mutual friend had passed. Now I think I will have to turn my attention to reading the books that set it all in motion.
ReplyDeleteDeborah, thank you for sharing your memories of Colin Dexter! I am still reeling from this morning's news about tragedy outside the House of Parliament! Reading about Colin Dexter brings back memories of my studies abroad at Oxford. I remember meeting this stereotype of the Ugly American who, after insulting me, tried to apologize by giving me a copy of Colin Dexter's the Silence of Nicholas Quinn. The biggest surprise is that Colin Dexter himself had hearing loss. I admit that I was not a big fan of Morse at first. Now I enjoy watching the series on TV. I always liked Inspector Lewis and I liked the first season of Endeavour.
ReplyDeleteIronically, just before I started my studies at Oxford, they REFUSED to accommodate me - they did not think I needed a translator and they refused to pay for a translator. My American university had to pay for the translators and they had to pay their own travel expenses! A friend, who grew up deaf without sign language, went to Oxford too and she did well despite no translator. She mentioned to me that they see Deafness as a Disability in England,
Interesting because Edward VII's wife, Queen Alexandra, was Deaf.
Please forgive me for saying this, but when you say deaf, do you mean hard of hearing? He talked as if he could hear. I am familiar with deaf speech and they tend to enuniciate (sp?) their words. Or the captioner would have difficulties translating their speech into written words unless the captioner was familiar with deaf speech.
Again, thank you for sharing your memories of meeting Colin Dexter.
DeleteI remember reading that Colin Dexter insisted that only John Thaw could play Morse. And in a television interview about Morse (? behind the scenes of Morse ?), I learned that Colin Dexter often had bit parts or sat in the background as an extra in the television series.
Debs - thanks for sharing your memories of Colin Dexter with us. I've always loved Inspector Morse and this gives me even more reason to do so. It is a sad loss for the mystery community.
ReplyDeleteIt's been in the back of my mind for a long time to read the books. Although I don't have TV, I have watched Inspector Morse when visiting relatives who are fans of the program, and I've borrowed the earlier DVDs from the library. Your post today will prompt me to start reading the books, and start viewing the program again.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am sorry, Debs, that you lost an important influence in your life. You honor him by being the best author that you can be.
Deb Romano
How very lovely and heartfelt!
ReplyDeleteLibby Dodd
So glad he had you to talk to, Debs, in the publisher's anteroom and everywhere else you rubbed elbows (or bums.) I'm going to reread all of the Morse novels this summer. I've just decided. Thank you for sharing your memory of a wonderful man.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a lovely tribute. I'm glad to know that an author whose books I love was such a wonderful person (that's not always the case).
ReplyDeleteA great remembrance of Colin Dexter. Unfortunately, I've never read the books and I could never get into the TV series. I know that my mom loved the TV show though.
ReplyDeleteI am heart broken. This is the first I have heard of his passing. What a lovely tribute. Like you, I am going to re-read my Morse. Oh, so sad.
ReplyDeleteSheer genius. I so love the characters he created, whom I know primarily from the TV series. Every story was so layered!!
ReplyDeleteI am also quite hard of hearing (bi-lateral) - it's good to have allies who understand.
I read several of the books before the TV show began, and LOVED them. Loved John Thaw too. Really sad. RIP Colin Dexter, and thanks for all the great entertainment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a loss! There are some people you just want to go on forever, and Colin was one of them. I remember with fondness the several chats we had over the years in the Senior Common Room at St Hilda's College in Oxford. How he actually twinkled, and made everyone around him laugh. I, too, enjoyed the game of Spot Colin in each of at the Morse, Lewis and Endeavour episodes. Sadly, in the last episode of Endeavour I saw, Colin must have been to frail to appear on camera, but he was represented by a portrait on an office wall. Rest in peace, Colin. Your books will live forever.
ReplyDeleteI so loved him.
ReplyDelete